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Midfielder Sadou Diallo headed home the only goal of the tie, as Ruaidhri Higgins’ men booked their place in the second qualifying round, where they will entertain Finnish league leaders Kups next Thursday evening in the first leg
Backed by a good crowd, the home side went close to taking a 12th minute lead but Torshavn goalkeeper Bjarti Mørk made a top drawer save, superbly tipping over Cameron McJannet’s looping header.
Minutes later more good play down Derry’s left hand side ended with Ben Doherty’s centre to the back post finding Paul McMullan, but the diving header flew well over the bar.
The Brandywell men broke the deadlock on 23 minutes as Michael Duffy’s left wing corner found Diallo at the near post and the midfielder did well to head home from close range.
The Faroe Islands men had their first shot on 38 minutes but Hanus Sorensen’s long range shot, although well hit, was well off target.
Derry just have added a second just before half-time, as another Duffy left wing corner this time found McJannet, but the skipper headed wide from close range.
City went close to scoring a second on 53 minutes as Ben Doherty’s left footed strike from 20 yards, which had Mørk well beaten, just sailed past the left hand post.
McGonigle missed a golden chance to score City’s second moments later as he got in behind the Torshavn back-line, but his side footed effort was well blocked by an out-rushing Mørk.
While the game stayed only at 1-0 the visitors always knew a goal would get them back into the tie and they went close on 67 minutes but Dan Í Soylu’s shot through a host of players was straight at Maher.
The visitors had a glorious chance to equalise on 74 minutes as a slick move ended with Adrian Justinussen’s close range shot, from the right hand side of the box was well saved by Maher.
While the visitors put a few high balls into the Derry penalty box, they never really created a clear cut chance, as the City faithful went home happy.
The teams lined up as:
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo, Cameron Dummigan, Will Patching (Patrick McEleney 66); Paul McMullan (Brandon Kavanagh 82), Jamie McGonigle (Daniel Mullen 77), Michael Duffy.
HB Torshavn: Bjarti Mørk, Viljormur Davidsen, Hordur Askham (Mikkel Dahl 90), Hanus Sorensen (Jakup Thomsen 90), Adrian Justinussen, Dan Í Soylu (Matthias Praest 83), Aki Samuelsen (Heri Hjalt Mohr 71), Mads Borchers, Bartal Wardum, Emil Berger (Hedin Hansen 71), Ari Jónsson.
Referee: Tomas Klima (Czech Republic).
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